NHS Lothian recognises the invaluable role that unpaid carers make to helping keep someone well or looking after them when they are unwell.
A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a wife, husband, partner, son, daughter, parent, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. The person may need extra help because of their age, or because they have a physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. They may not even live with the person they care for.
